Mandatory Fee Arbitration Forms & Resources

When clients have a dispute with their attorneys, lawyers are required to give their clients a notice indicating that they have an option to go to arbitration. Listed below are fee arbitration forms and resources for attorneys.

Members of the public can visit our Fee Disputes webpage for consumer-oriented Mandatory Fee Arbitration forms and information.

Fee arbitration forms for attorneys

• Notice of Client's Right to Fee Arbitration
• State Bar Request for Arbitration form: Online | PDF (fillable)
• Sample fee agreement forms and instructions:
  • Sample written fee agreement form
  • Optional clauses and disclosure forms
  • Sample written fee agreement forms instructions and comments

Resources

• Rules of the State Bar of California relating to mandatory fee arbitration and schedule of charges and deadlines
• Business and Professions Code, Article 13 Arbitration of Attorney's Fees (§§ 6200-6206)
• Business and Professions Code, Article 8.5 Fee Agreements (§§ 6146-6149.5).
• Code of Civil Procedure, Article 1 Confirmation, Correction or Vacation of the Award (§§ 1285-1289)
• Code of Civil Procedure, Article 2 Limitations of Time (§§ 1288-1288.8)
• Arbitration Advisories
• FAQs: Preparing for the arbitration hearing
• Notice of Your Rights After Fee Arbitration
• Fee arbitrator appointments application (Note: All arbitrators must complete a comprehensive fee arbitrator training before hearing their first MFA case. The State Bar offers a free e-learning training course.)
• Appointment and Requirements of Arbitrators